Monthly Archives: October 2011

A HOPLAND MAN PLEADED GUILTY TO CHARGES OF GROSS VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER, AND FAILURE TO REPORT A FATALITY ON THURSDAY.

ACCORDING TO PROSECUTORS, 29 YEAR OLD CODY FISHER WAITED FOUR HOURS BEFORE REPORTING THAT HE HAD CRASHED HIS TRUCK, KILLING HIS PASSENGER, 30 YEAR OLD MATT PARE OF POWAY. HE INSTEAD PHONED A FRIEND TO BRING HIM A POT OF COFFEE SO HE COULD SOBER UP AFTER A NIGHT OF DRINKING, AND BEFORE POLICE ARRIVED. FISHER FACES UP TO 11 YEARS IN STATE PRISON. HE WILL BE SENTENCED DECEMBER 16TH.

JURY ACQUITS MAN ACCUSED OF RAPE JKB 10/31/11

A HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE MAN ACCUSED OF RAPE WAS ACQUITTED BY A JURY ON THURSDAY.

27 YEAR OLD JOHN WESLEY DUNN WAS CHARGED WITH RAPE, KIDNAPPING AND ASSAULT. HIS ACCUSER, A 25 YEAR OLD WOMAN FROM HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, CLAIMED SHE DIDNT REMEMBER ANYTHING THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE SHE WAS TOO INTOXICATED AFTER A NIGHT OF DRINKING WITH DUNN. SHE CONTACTED POLICE ON AUGUST 1ST 2009, THE DAY AFTER THE ALLEGED EVENT OCCURRED AND DUNN WAS ARRESTED A WEEK LATER. DURING A PRELIMINARY HEARING IN DECEMBER OF 2009, A JUDGE RULED THE PROSECUTION DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO PROCEED WITH THE KIDNAPPING AND ASSAULT CHARGES, REDUCING THE CASE TO A SINGLE COUNT OF RAPE. THE JURY LAST WEEK SAID THE EVIDENCE DID NOT SUPPORT THE RAPE CHARGE, AND FOUND DUNN NOT GUILTY.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVOCATES SUE FEDERAL GOVERNEMNT JKB 10/31/11

MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVOCATES CHALLENGING THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATIONS CRACKDOWN ON MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES AND COOPERATIVES, FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE ACTIONS IN SAN FRANCISCOS FEDERAL COURT THURSDAY.

AMERICANS FOR SAFE ACCESS SAID THE CRACKDOWN IS AN EFFORT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNEMNT TO SUBVERT LOCAL AND STATE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAWS. FEDERAL AUTHORITIES LAST MONTH WARNED CITY OFFICIALS THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA THAT ORDINANCES REGULATING MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES VIOLATE FEDERAL LAW. THEY ALSO STATED THAT LANDLORDS WHO RENT TO DISPENSARIES AND CO-OPS COULD FACE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION AND PROPERTY FORFEITURE. STATE OFFICIALS HAVE CRITICIZED THE HEAVY HANDED TACTICS THAT INCLUDE A RAID ON A MEDICAL MARIJUANA COOPERATIVE IN REDWOOD VALLEY THAT WAS OPERATING LEGALLY UNDER PERMITS ISSUED BY MENDOCINO COUNTY.

POLICE IN FORCE AT HELLS ANGELS FUNERAL JKB 10/31/11

THERE WAS A HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE AT THE FUNERAL FOR A HELLS ANGELS MEMBER OVER THE WEEKEND, IN THE SAME CEMETERY WHERE HE WAS SHOT TO DEATH WHILE ATTENDING THE FUNERAL FOR ANOTHER HELLS ANGELS MEMBER TWO WEEKS AGO.

52 YEAR OLD STEVE TAUSAN WAS LAID TO REST AT THE OAK HILL MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY IN SAN JOSE. HE WAS KILLED WHEN A FIGHT BROKE OUT AT THE FUNERAL OF JEFFREY JETHRO PETTIGREW OCTOBER 15TH. PETTIGREW, THE LEADER OF THE SAN JOSE CHAPTER OF THE HELLS ANGELS, WAS SLAIN BY A RIVAL VAGOS GANG MEMBER DURING A BRAWL AT A NEVADA CASINO ON SEPTEMBER 23RD.

NICE LUCERNE CUTOFF CLOSED JKB 10/31/11

BEGINNING TODAY, THE NICE LUCERNE CUTOFF FROM LAKESHORE DRIVE TO STOKES AVENUE WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8 AM AND 5 PM.

THE CLOSURE WILL BE IN EFFECT MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY UNTIL WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 9TH IN ORDER TO PERFORM NECESSARY ROAD REPAIRS. SERVICES TO SUTTER LAKESIDE HOSPITAL AND RAYS CENTURY MARKET WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.

BURN SUSPENSION LIFTED IN LAKE COUNTY JKB 10/31/11

CAL FIRE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE BURN SUSPENSION IN LAKE COUNTY WILL END AS OF 8 AM THIS MORNING.

THE BURN SUSPENSION IS ALSO BEING LIFTED IN SONOMA, NAPA, YOLO SOLANO AND COULUSA COUNTIES TODAY AS WELL. THE SUSPENSION IN MENDOCINO COUNTY WAS LIFTED TWO WEEKS AGO. BURN PERMITS ARE STILL REQUIRED, AND ALL BURNING MUST BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOCAL AIR QUALITY REGULATIONS.

EIR AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW JKB 10//31/11

AS OF TODAY, THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTS FOR THE PROPOSED UKIAH WALMART EXPANSION AND THE NEW MENDOCINO COUNTY COURTHOUSE ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR REVIEW.

THE WALMART EXPANSION PROPOSAL SEEKS TO INCREASE THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF THE CURRENT STORE BY MORE THAN 47,600 SQUARE FEET AND INCREASE OPERATIONS TO 24 HOURS A DAY. THE COURTHOUSE EIR LOOKS AT TWO LOCATIONS FOR THE PROPOSED NEW COURT FACILITY. BOTH EIRS INCLUDE INFORMATION ON ESTIMATED IMPACTS FOR AIR QUALITY, CLIMATE CHANGE, STORM WATER RUNOFF, TRAFFIC AND VISUAL IMPACTS AND ECONOMIC AND URBAN DECAY. THE REPORTS ARE AVAILABLE TODAY BOTH ONLINE AND IN HARD COPY FORM.

LOCAL IRAQ CASUALTY 10/25
A LOCAL MAN SERVING IN IRAQ HAS DIED. TWENTY-NINE YEAR OLD PFC STEVEN SHAPIRO OF HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE LAST FRIDAY WHILE HIS UNIT WAS SUPPORTING OPERATION NEW DAWN IN IRAQ IN TALLIL. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE THIRD BATTALION, EIGHTH REGIMENT OF THE FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION BASED IN FORT HOOD, TEXAS. CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO SHAPIRO’S DEATH WERE NOT immediately AVAILABLE.. HIS DEATH OCCURRED THE SAME DAY PRESIDENT OBAMA ANNOUNCED THAT REMAINING U.S. TROUPS WOULD BE COMING HOME BY YEARS END.

Man sought in 6 California, Oregon bank robberies
McKINLEYVILLE — Authorities are searching for a man whom they want to question about a string of bank robberies in Northern California and Oregon. FBI officials say they believe six robberies in the Humboldt County town of McKinleyville, Siskiyou County town of Yreka and Del Norte County town of Smith River and Grants Pass, Ore., are linked. Officials dubbed the man shown on surveillance videos as the “Dust Mask Bandit” because of the mask he’s worn to disguise his face. The robberies date back to July 5. The latest bank hit was McKinleyville’s Coast Central Credit Union last Thursday.On Monday, Humboldt County sheriff’s officials identified Clarence Joseph Lewis III as a person of interest in the case. Deputies served a search warrant at Lewis’ home in the town of Hoopa on Friday, but didn’t find him there

Moammar Gadhafi buried in unmarked grave
MISRATA, Libya — Moammar Gadhafi, the dictator who ruled Libya for 42 years, was buried early Tuesday in an unmarked grave with only a few people allowed to attend. The modest Islamic ceremony closed the book on the 8-month civil war that ousted him and ended in the gruesome spectacle of people lining up for days to view his decomposing corpse on display in a cold storage unit. His body was taken under cover of darkness to the burial site “not far” from the city. Libya’s new leaders have said they would not reveal the location of the grave, fearing it could be vandalized or turned into a shrine for die-hard supporters.

Police arrest 75 protesters at Oakland’s City Hall
OAKLAND — Oakland police say they arrested 75 people while clearing an anti-Wall Street protest in front of City Hall that had grown into an encampment with dozens of tents. Most of the people arrested were taken into custody on suspicion of misdemeanor illegal lodging, as police raided the encampment around 5 a.m. Tuesday. Hundreds of officers and sheriff’s deputies from more than 12 agencies moved in on about 170 protesters. Police fired beanbag rounds and tear gas, but no one was injured. Television news footage showed protesters being taken away in plastic cuffs without incident

CAMP program reports 2011 pot seizures cut in half
The number of plants seized by the state’s Campaign Against Marijuana Production plummeted this year, in part because drug traffickers shifted production from public to private land, where they more easily blend with legal pot operations. Weather, the manhunt for murder suspect Aaron Bassler and a truncated growing and eradication season also are factors in the decline, law enforcement. A total of 2.2 million plants were seized during the three-month CAMP operation this year, half as many as in 2010.Last year, 73 percent of the marijuana plants seized statewide during CAMP operations were on public land. This year, it was about 60 percent, despite an intensive three-week federal, state and local offensive on pot production in the Mendocino National Forest

Costco moves forward with plans for Ukiah store
After years of discussion and negotiations, Costco is moving forward with plans to build a store in Ukiah. It has submitted preliminary plans and paid the city more than $300,000 for an environmental impact study. The city last week approved a contract with Environmental Science Associates to prepare the environmental study. The environmental studies are expected to take about eight months.City officials wooed Costco with some trepidation about bringing another big-box store to Ukiah, but ultimately decided it was a good project.

Fugitive arrested in Lakeport stabbings
A Lake County man accused of stabbing two people during a parking dispute has been apprehended after four months as a fugitiveThirty-four year old Ronald James Blesio was arrested Sunday night in Kelseyville on warrants, including one for the June 12 stabbing of two people visiting Lakeport. He was apprehended following a traffic stop. He ran but was captured after a brief foot pursuit. Blesio has been charged with four counts of assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of battery with great bodily injury in connection with the stabbings. He also was being held on suspicion of battery and resisting arrest.

Sonoma supervisors to consider tighter rules for pot dispensaries
Tighter regulations for marijuana dispensaries and cultivation go before the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. Supervisors will be asked to limit the number of dispensaries in the unincorporated area to seven. There are now five permitted dispensaries and one unpermitted facility.At least a dozen dispensaries have been open at one time or another over the past 18 months, according to a staff report

A large black bear struck and killed by a pickup near Willits during the late hours of Thursday night caused more than a dozen motorists to pull over to the side of Highway 101 to check it out. California Fish and Game personnel removed the bear’s remains shortly after 8 a.m., in large part because it was proving hazardous to morning traffic.
The bear was struck by a Ford F-150 pickup at 11:40 p.m. Thursday at Walker Road. The driver was unhurt, but the bear was killed in the incident. The pickup was damaged badly enough it had to be towed.

10 arrested, 600 pounds of pot seized in Humboldt County bust
BRIDGEVILLE — Authorities arrested 10 people and seized more than $200,000 and 600 pounds of dried marijuana in a drug bust authorities believe may be tied to international trafficking. Humboldt County Sheriff’s office says those arrested Wednesday include people from Bulgaria, Ukraine and Thailand. Authorities are holding 56-year-old Stanislaw Kopiej, a German-born U.S. citizen who they called the prime suspect. Deputies found marijuana plants, dried marijuana, firearms and more than $175,000 cash at his Hydesville home and arrested four people total there. They also found $30,000-transfers from Kopiej to a bank in Thailand. Six others were arrested at another house tied to the operation.

Wildlife rescuers capture hawk with nail in head in San Francisco park
SAN FRANCISCO — A red-tailed hawk that rescuers said was shot in the head with a nail gun was recovering Sunday at a Northern California wildlife center. The hawk, captured in a San Francisco park by rescuers Saturday, was doing “very well” while being cared for at the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley. The nail dislodged and dropped out during transport with no sign of additional trauma and no bleeding,” The juvenile bird was trapped Saturday evening at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens. .Rescuers believe someone intentionally hurt the hawk. A reward of $10,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whomever harmed the bird.

Hells Angels Member Killed by Shuttle Bus
SAN LEANDRO — Authorities say a motorcyclist who was hit by a shuttle bus and dragged down a northern California freeway was a member of the Hells Angels, and his death is being investigated as a homicide. It appears there was a dispute Saturday between the biker and the driver of the paratransit van, who is suspected of intentionally hitting the man. The biker was dragged for about a mile on Interstate 580 before he was freed. He was declared dead at a hospital. The shuttle driver has been arrested.
Neither man’s name has been released.

A REPORT OF A FORT BRAGG MAN WHO DIED WHEN HE SHOT HIMSELF IN THE FACE AFTER HE TRIPPED AND FELL WEDNESDAY, WAS INCORRECT.

INITIAL REPORTS STATED THAT 55 YEAR OLD WILLIAM NOLAN DIED IN THE INCIDENT. INFORMATION RELEASED YESTERDAY INDICATED HE WAS WOUNDED IN THE UPPER LIP, TREATED FOR HIS INJURIES AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL AND RELEASED. NOLAN TOLD AUTHORITIES HE GRABBED HIS RIFLE AFTER HE SPOTTED A MOUNTAIN LION OUTSIDE HIS HOME ON PUDDING CREEK ROAD. THE GUN DISCHARGED WHEN HE TRIPPED AND FELL WHILE WALKING DOWN THE STAIRS OUTSIDE HIS HOME.

EARTHQUAKE IN BAY AREA JKB 10/21/11

A PAIR OF MODERATE SIZED EARTHQUAKES RATTLED THE BAY AREA YESTERDAY.

THE FIRST OCCURRED AT 2:41 PM AND MEASURED 4.0 IN MAGNITUDE. IT WAS FOLLOWED BY A 3.8 MAGNITUDE QUAKE AT 8:15 PM. BOTH QUAKES WERE CENTERED WITHIN 2 MILES SOUTHEAST OF BERKELEY. THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF ANY SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

BANK ROBBERY IN MCKINLEYVILLE JKB 10/21/11

AUTHORITIES ARE SEARCHING FOR A MAN IN THE FIELDBROOK AREA OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY WHO IS SUSPECTED OF ROBBING THE COAST CENTRAL CREDIT UNION INSIDE RAYS FOOD PLACE IN MCKINLEYVILLE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

THE SUSPECT, DESCRIBED AS A NATIVE AMERICAN MAN, 5 FEET 10 INCHES TALL, WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 210 POUNDS, FLED THE SCENE IN A VEHICLE AND WAS PURSUED BY THE ARCATA POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE SUSPECT EVENTUALLY ABANDONED THE CAR AND FLED ON FOOT. IT IS THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS THAT THE SAME BANK HAS BEEN ROBBED. A MAN WHO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS BELIEVE COMMITTED OTHER ROBBERIES ON BANKS IN SMITH RIVER AND IN OREGON, ESCAPED WITH AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF CASH ON AUGUST 12TH.

MAN DIES AFTER JUMPING FROM PARKING GARAGE JKB 10/21/11

A SONOMA COUNTY MAN DIED AFTER HE JUMPED FROM THE TOP OF A FOUR STORY PARKING GARAGE IN DOWNTOWN SANTA ROSA EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING.

ACCORDING TO POLICE, 57 YEAR OLD MICHAEL MOUNTANOS WAS SPOTTED ON THE FOURTH LEVEL BY A PARKING ATTENDANT SHORTLY AFTER 6:30 AM IN AN AREA THAT WAS NOT OPEN TO PUBLIC PARKING. WHEN THE ATTENDANT CALLED MOUNTANOS OVER TO TALK, HE CLIMBED TO THE EDGE OF THE WALL AND DOVE OFF. HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AFTER BEING TAKEN TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL.

CONTROLLED TRAFFIC IN BROOKTRAILS JKB 10/21/11

EMERGENCY ROADWORK REPAIR IN THE BROOKTRAILS TOWNSHIP OF WILLITS IS CONTINUING, BUT MOTORISTS ON SHERWOOD ROAD WILL GET A BREAK FROM THE ONE WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC TODAY.

ONE WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC WILL BE IN EFFECT TOMORROW AS CREWS WORK ON SEALING CRACKS IN THE ROAD. THE ENTIRE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE BY NOVEMBER 5TH.

STALKING ARREST JKB 10/21/11

A FORT BRAGG MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR PROWLING AND STALKING AFTER TWO WOMEN REPORTED HE HAD BEEN WATCHING THEM FOR OVER A WEEK.

THE VICTIMS REPORTED THAT 33 YEAR OLD DOVE MICHAEL HAD BEEN HIDING BEHIND TELEPHONE POLES, WATCHING THEM AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY AND NIGHT. ON AT LEAST ONE OCCASION, HE HAD HIDDEN HIMSELF INSIDE AN OUTBUILDING ON ONE OF THE VICTIMS PROPERTY. OFFICERS LOCATED MICHAEL AT HIS APARTMENT ON EAST REDWOOD STREET AND ARRESTED HIM ON CHARGES OF BURGLARY, PROWLING AND A PROBATION VIOLATION.

POT BUST JBK 10/21/11

THE LAKE COUNTY MARIJUANA SUPPRESSION UNIT, SERVING SEARCH WARRANTS IN THE JERUSALEM VALLEY AREA OF MIDDLETOWN LAST TUESDAY, ARRESTED 10 PEOPLE WHILE SEIZING WEED, CASH AND A WEAPON.

THE OPENING OF THE ABALONE SEASON AT FORT ROSS ON THE SONOMA COAST WILL BE DELAYED FOR TWO MONTHS NEXT YEAR.

THE STATE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT YESTERDAY, AS PART OF THE RESPONSE TO THE MASSIVE DIE OFF OF ABALONE BEGINNING IN LATE AUGUST SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED FROM A COMBINATION OF RED TIDE AND EXCESSIVELY CALM OCEAN CONDITIONS. THE FISHERY ALONG THE ENTIRE SONOMA COAST WAS CLOSED EARLY LAST MONTH IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE FISHERY. THE SEASON NEXT YEAR WILL BEGIN IN JUNE OFF OF FORT ROSS. THE SEASON WILL OPEN IN APRIL ELSEWHERE ALONG THE COAST.

GROUND BREAKING FOR COLLEGE CENTER IN LAKEPORT JKB 10/21/11

THERE WAS AN OFFICIAL GROUND BREAKING FOR THE NEW MENDOCINO COLLEGE LAKE CENTER IN LAKEPORT YESTERDAY.

THE NEW CENTER WILL BE BUILT ON 31 ACRES ON PARALLEL DRIVE IN LAKEPORT, WITH FUNDS RAISED FROM THE PASSAGE OF MEASURE W IN 2006. THE NEW FACILITY IS EXPECTED TO BE READY FOR STUDENTS BEGINNING IN JANUARY OF 2013.

A 56 YEAR OLD FORT BRAGG MAN WHO WAS REPORTEDLY HUNTING AN ANIMAL, DIED YESTERDAY WHEN HE TRIPPED AND SHOT HIMSELF IN THE FACE LATE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

THE SHOOTING WAS REPORTED SHORTLY AFTER 5 PM IN A NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR PUDDING CREEK. THE VICTIMS NAME WAS NOT RELEASED AND NO ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT THE SHOOTING OR THE ANIMAL HE WAS HUNTING WERE AVAILABLE. THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT IS CONTINUING.

COUPLE PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN KILLING SPREE JKB 10/20/11

A SELF PROCLAIMED WHITE SUPREMACIST COUPLE FROM WASHINGTON STATE THAT WERE INVOLVED IN A THREE STATE KILLING SPREE, PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO TWO COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED MURDER IN AN EVERETT WASHINGTON COURTROOM YESTERDAY.

31 YEAR OLD DAVID JOEY PEDERSEN AND 24 YEAR OLD HOLLY GRIGSBY ARE CHARGED IN THE DEATHS OF PEDERSENS FATHER AND HIS WIFE WHO WERE KILLED SOMETIME AROUND SEPTEMBER 26TH. IN ADDITION, THE COUPLE ALLEGEDLY ADMITTED TO KILLING 17 YEAR OLD CODY MYERS NEAR PHILOMATH OREGON, BECAUSE HIS NAME SOUNDED JEWISH. THEY ARE ALSO SUSPECTED IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF 56 YEAR OLD REGINALD CLARK OF EUREKA. CLARK WHO IS BLACK, WAS FOUND DEAD IN HIS PICK UP TRUCK OCTOBER 4TH. PEDERSEN AND GRIGSBY WERE ARRESTED WHILE DRIVING MYERS VEHICLE TO SACRAMENTO TO, IN THEIR WORDS, KILL MORE JEWS. PROSECUTORS HAVE NOT DECIDED YET IF THEY WILL SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY.

POT BUST JKB 10/20/11

AN ARIZONA MAN ARRESTED IN LAYTONVILLE WITH SIX AND A HALF POUNDS OF MARIJUANA WAS LINKED TO ANOTHER MAN WHO HAD BEEN ARRESTED JUST AN HOUR BEFORE WITH MORE WEED AND A LOT OF CASH.

21 YEAR OLD ZACHARY HENDERSON OF DATELINE ARIZONA WAS ARRESTED AT THE CHEVRON GAS STATION IN LAYTONVILLE AFTER A DRUG SNIFFING DOG ALERTED ON A SUITCASE IN HIS CAR CONTAINING MARIJUANA. INSIDE THE SUITCASE, DEPUTIES FOUND THE IDENTIFICATION OF 30 YEAR OLD JOSEPH JONES OF CALIFORNIA, WHO HAD BEEN STOPPED AN HOUR EARLIER ON SOUTHBOUND HIGHWAY 101 WITH A SMALLER AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA AND $49,000 IN CASH. POLICE BELIEVE THE TWO MEN WERE WORKING IN TANDEM, BUT THEIR ARRANGEMENT IS NOT KNOWN.

ASSAULT ARREST JKB 10/20/11

THREE SUSPECTED GANG MEMBERS WERE ARRESTED IN FORT BRAGG AFTER ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTING A GROUP OF THREE MEN OVER A VERBAL MISUNDERSTANDING ON SUNDAY.

THE THREE VICTIMS FLAGGED DOWN POLICE AT AROUND 2 AM SUNDAY MORNING TO REPORT THE ATTACK. A SEARCH OF THE AREA TURNED UP ONE JUVENILE AND TWO ADULT MALE SUSPECTS. THE ADULTS WERE IDENTIFIED AS VICTOR VISCENCIO AND VICTOR SORIA. THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE ASSAULT IS CONTINUING.

MARIJUANA GROW DISCOVERED FROM DIVERTED WATER JKB 10/20/11

A STATE FISH AND GAME WARDEN WHO SPOTTED AN ILLEGAL DIVERSION FROM THE EEL RIVER NEAR DOS RIOS, LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF A SIZEABLE GROWING OPERATION AND THE ARREST OF 12 PEOPLE.

TASK FORCE AGENTS DISCOVERED A SIX GARDEN CLUSTER CONTAINING 766 MATURE PLANTS AND ABOUT 300 POUNDS OF PROCESSED MARIJUANA. A TRAILER, A DIESEL GENERATOR, A SMALL TENT CITY AND THREE 1000 GALLON WATER TANKS WERE ALSO LOCATED NEAR THE GARDENS. AUTHORITIES ESTIMATE THE GROW HAD DIVERTED MORE THAN 300,000 GALLONS OF WATER FROM THE EEL RIVER. NINE OF THE 12 PEOPLE ARRESTED WERE REPORTEDLY FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, TWO WERE FROM COVELO, AND ONE WAS FROM CLEARLAKE.

REPORT ON SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT JKB 10/20/11

ACCORDING TO AN EFFICIENCY AUDIT REPORT BY A CONSULTANT FIRM HIRED BY THE COUNTY, THE MENDOCINO COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE SUFFERS FROM SIGNIFICANT MORALE PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF AUSTERE BUT WELL INTENDED BUDGET CUTS IN THE DEPARTMENT, AND IS SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERSTAFFED IN SOME AREAS.

THE REPORT POINTED OUT THE NEED FOR MORE PATROL DEPUTIES AND OTHER STAFF, MORE SUPERVISION OF FIELD DEPUTIES, BETTER USE OF TIME FOR CURRENT STAFF, A REALLOCATION OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES, AND BETTER COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE SHERIFFS BUDGET. WHILE THE AUDIT MADE SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DEPARTMENT, IT DID NOT IDENTIFY WHERE THE MONEY WOULD COME FROM TO PAY FOR THEM. THE COUNTY PAID $28,000 TO HARRIS & HARRIS ENTERPRISES FOR THE AUDIT AND REPORT.

THE NAMES OF TWO MAINE RESIDENTS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN A FATAL SINGLE CAR COLLISION ON HIGHWAY 20 NEAR WITTER SPRINGS ROAD SUNDAY NIGHT, WERE RELEASED BY THE CHP YESTERDAY.

40 YEAR OLD TAYLOR GRIFFIN OF PORTLAND MAINE WAS EJECTED DURING THE CRASH AND DIED AT THE SCENE. 43 YEAR OLD CARRIE DAVENPORT OF SOUTH FREEPORT MAINE SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES AND REMAINS IN SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. GRIFFINS RENTED 2012 CORVETTE ENDED UP SEVERAL YARDS FROM THE ROAD, DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND WASNT DISCOVERED UNTIL DAVENPORT CALLED 911 ON MONDAY MORNING AT AROUND 11 AM. GRIFFIN, WAS THE HEAD OF A LUXURY FOOD IMPORT BUSINESS AND WAS ON THE WEST COAST FOR A BUSINESS TRIP. DAVENPORT WAS HIS COMPANYS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND GENERAL MANAGER.

MIDDLETOWN WOMAN KILLED IN MONTEREY COUNTY JKB 10/19/11

A MIDDLETOWN WOMAN WAS KILLED IN NORTHERN MONTEREY COUNTY WHEN A DRIVER FLEEING POLICE IN A HIGH SPEED CHASE HIT HER MOTORCYCLE.

39 YEAR OLD KATHERINE HAWLEY DIED INSTANTLY WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK HEAD ON BY 37 YEAR OLD HUMBERTO DE LA TORRE OF WATSONVILLE ON HIGHWAY 1 NEAR SANTA CRUZ JUST BEFORE 4:30 PM. DE LA TORRE WAS ALSO KILLED IN THE CRASH. ACCORDING TO THE CHP, DE LA TORRE HAD BEEN FLEEING FROM THE SCENES OF TWO OTHER ACCIDENTS WHEN HE COLLIDED WITH HAWLEY.

ATTORNEYS TO TRAVEL TO CHILE IN MURDER CASE JKB 10/19/11

A TRINITY COUNTY DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND PROSECUTOR WILL TRAVEL TO CHILE AT THE END OF THE MONTH IN CONNECTION WITH A HOMICIDE CASE.

30 YEAR OLD CLAUDIA PEDREROS OF MCKINLEYVILLE HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY, AND NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF INSANITY IN THE DEATH OF HER TWO YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, WHOM SHE ADMITTED TO DROWNING IN THE TRINITY RIVER. ALTHOUGH FOUND COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL, PEDREROS ALLEGEDLY HAS A LONG HISTORY OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND HAD LIVED IN CHILE PRIOR TO MOVING TO MCKINLEYVILLE IN 2008. THE PROSECUTOR AND PUBLIC DEFENDER ARE ON A FACT FINDING MISSION TO CHILE TO INVESTIGATE PEDREROS LIFE THERE BEFORE COMING TO THE U.S. PEDREROS IS SCHEDULED TO RETURN TO COURT NOVEMBER 29TH.

POT BUST JKB 10/19/11

NEIGHBOR COMPLAINTS LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF A QUESTIONABLE MARIJUANA OPERATION AND THE ARREST OF THREE PEOPLE ON MONDAY.

TASK FORCE MEMBERS SERVING A SEARCH WARRANT NOTED THAT THE 20 PLANTS AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA RECOMMENDATION FOUND AT THE LOCATION IN REDWOOD VALLEY, DIDNT EXPLAIN THE ESTIMATED 72 POUNDS OF TRIMMED BUD ON THE PROPERTY. 25 YEAR OLD JAVIER CARDENAZ, HIS 24 YEAR OLD BROTHER SERGIO CARDENAZ, AND HIS 21 YEAR OLD WIFE MARIA SANDOVAL, CLAIMED ALL THE MARIJUANA WAS FOR PERSONAL USE, BUT COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHERE $10,525 IN CASH FOUND IN THE HOME CAME FROM. POLICE ALSO FOUND PAY-OWE RECORDS THAT SHOWED PAYMENT FOR TRIMMERS. ALL THREE WERE BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL AND RELEASED AFTER POSTING A $25,000 BAIL EACH.

DUI ACCIDENT JKB 10/19/11

A POTTER VALLEY MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER HIS CAR WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A BIG RIG BECAUSE HE WAS TRAVELING ONLY 20 MILES AN HOUR WITHOUT HIS HEADLIGHTS ON AFTER DARK ON HIGHWAY 101 NEAR CALPELLA.

THE CRASH OCCURRED JUST BEFORE 10 PM MONDAY. 26 YEAR OLD QUINTIN BRADY WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. HE WAS ARRESTED FOR DUI AND BOOKED INTO THE COUNTY JAIL.

CHANGES IN DAS OFFICE JKB 10/19/11

MENDOCINO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY DAVID EYSTER HAS ANNOUNCED SOME RECENT STAFFING CHANGES IN HIS OFFICE.

PROSECUTOR STEVE JACKSON HAS LEFT THE OFFICE TO BECOME PART OF THE PROSECUTORS OFFICE IN YAKIMA COUNTY WASHINGTON. HE HAD SERVED AS A MENDOCINO COUNTY PROSECUTOR SINCE 2007, AND WAS WITH THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE BEFORE THAT, BEGINNING IN 2001. DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY GRANT HUGHES ALSO RECENTLY LEFT THE MENDOCINO COUNTY PROSECUTORS OFFICE TO TAKE A POSITION IN HIS UNCLES SILICON VALLEY LAW FIRM. EYSTER SAYS HIS OFFICE HAS INTERVIEWED SEVERAL EXCELLENT CANDIDATES TO REPLACE THE LOST PROSECUTORS.

LAKE COUNTY BOS RESCINDS POT DISPENSARY ORDINANCE JKB 10/19/11

IN RESPONSE TO A PETITION SIGNED BY MORE THAN 3,500 RESIDENTS, THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RESCINDED AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD HAVE LIMITED THE NUMBER OF POT DISPENSARIES IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF THE COUNTY TO FIVE.

MARIJUANA ADVOCATES CHALLENGED THE ORDINANCE AND PRESENTED MORE THAN ENOUGH SIGNATURES TO FORCE SUPERVISORS TO EITHER PLACE THE ISSUE ON A VOTER BALLOT OR OVERTURN THEIR DECISION. THE SUPES AGREED YESTERDAY TO RESCIND THE ORDINANCE ON A 3 TO 2 VOTE.

VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS MAILED JKB 10/19/11

VOTE BY MAIL ABSENTEE BALLOTS FOR THE NOVEMBER 8TH SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTION WERE MAILED OUT TO VOTERS OCTOBER 11TH.

IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE YOUR BALLOT BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 24TH, COUNTY CLERK RECORDER SUSAN RANOCHAK SUGGESTS CONTACTING THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS OFFICE SO THEY CAN SEND YOU ANOTHER BALLOT. BALLOTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS OFFICE. VOTERS CAN COME TO THE OFFICE OR TOA POLLING PLACE UP UNTIL 8 PM ON ELECTION DAY TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE THEIR BALLOT IN PERSON.

CONTROLLED BURN JKB 10/19/11

CAL FIRE WILL BE CONDUCTING A CONTROLLED BURN ON PRIVATELY OWNED LAND IN THE PETA CREEK WATERSHED AREA SOUTH OF HOPLAND THIS MORNING.

ONE MAN WAS KILLED AND A WOMAN WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH THAT OCCURRED ON HIGHWAY 20 SUNDAY NIGHT, BUT WASNT REPORTED UNTIL MONDAY MORNING.

THE SURVIVING VICTIM OF THE CRASH, A 43 YEAR OLD FEMALE PASSENGER FROM SOUTH FREEPORT MAINE, USED HER CELL PHONE TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT WEST OF WITTER SPRINGS ROAD AT 11 AM MONDAY MORNING. THE 40 YEAR OLD MALE DRIVER FROM PORTLAND MAINE DIED AT THE SCENE AFTER BEING EJECTED FROM THE RENTED 2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. HE WAS NOT WEARING A SEATBELT. ACCORDING TO THE CHP, THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND WHEN HE FAILED TO NEGOTIATE A RIGHT CURVE IN THE ROAD, LEFT THE ROADWAY, STRUCK A TREE AND TUMBLED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE FEMALE PASSENGER, WHO WAS WEARING A SEATBELT, SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES. SPEED APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A FACTOR IN THE CRASH.

MARIJUANA RELATED MURDER JKB 10/18/11

SONOMA COUNTY AUTHORITIES SAY THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A MAN NEAR DRY CREEK VALLEY OVER THE WEEKEND WAS MARIJUANA RELATED.

ACCORDING TO POLICE, 46 YEAR OLD GABINO SANTIAGO OF HEALDSBURG WAS ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE THE MARIJUANA SITE WHEN HE WAS GUNNED DOWN. HIS BODY WAS THEN DUMPED ABOUT 10 MILES AWAY OFF OF MILL CREEK ROAD WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED BY A NEWSPAPER DELIVERY PERSON AT AROUND 7 AM SUNDAY MORNING. THE SHOOTING HAD BEEN REPORTED FIVE HOURS EARLIER BY SANTIAGOS BROTHER IN LAW, 28 YEAR OLD RAMON LOPEZ. HE WAS ARRESTED ALONG WITH 35 YEAR OLD SIDONIO SANTOS CRUZ AND 23 YEAR OLD AGUSTIN ZEPEDA ONOFRE IN CONNECTION WITH THE MURDER. POLICE SAY THE THREE MEN HAD BEEN WORKING THE POT GARDEN TOGETHER. SANTIAGO REPORTEDLY WORKED AS A LANDSCAPER AND HAD NO CONNECTION WITH MARIJUANA OPERATION. THE INVESTIGATION INTO HIS DEATH IS CONTINUING.

MOTHER ARRESTED IN DEATH OF CHILD JKB 10/18/11

A MOTHER FROM ARCATA WAS ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF HER INFANT DAUGHTER ON SATURDAY.

ACCORDING TO POLICE, 29 YEAR OLD REBECCA MCPHERSON WAS IN BED WITH HER 4 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER BLOW DRYING HER HAIR, WHEN AT SOME POINT SHE FELL ASLEEP WITH THE BLOW DRYER ON. THE CHILD WAS DISCOVERED DEAD IN THE MORNING. INVESTIGATORS SPECULATE THE CHILD GOT OVERHEATED FROM THE DRYER, OR THE HEAT OF THE AIR BLOWING IN THE CHILDS FACE CAUSED RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS. AN OFFICIAL CAUSE OF DEATH IS PENDING THE OUTCOME OF AN AUTOPSY. MCPHERSON WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH FELONY CHILD ENDANGERMENT.

MEN TO STAND TRIAL FOR MURDER IN DEATH OF CHILD JKB 10/18/11

LAKE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE STEPHEN HEDSTROM RULED FRIDAY THAT THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO TRY 23 YEAR OLD PAUL BRADEN, 21 YEAR OLD ORLANDO LOPEZ, AND 29 YEAR OLD KEVIN RAY STONE FOR MURDER IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF 4 YEAR OLD SKYLER RAPP JUNE 18TH.

THE THREE MEN ARE ACCUSED OF SHOOTING INTO A GROUP OF PEOPLE DURING A FAMILY BAR-BE-QUE. 5 PEOPLE WERE WOUNDED INCLUDING THE BOYS MOTHER AND HER BOYFRIEND. SKYLER WAS THE ONLY ONE KILLED. JUDGE HEDSTROM RULED THE THREE MEN COULD BE TRIED ON ALL 16 COUNTS FACING THEM, INCLUDING MURDER, MULTIPLE COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED MURDER, MAYHEM, AND SPECIAL ALLEGATIONS. ALL THREE MEN WILL BE ARRAIGNED ON THE CHARGES NEXT TUESDAY.

EVALUATION ON SHERIFFS OPERATIONS PRESENTATION JKB 10/18/11

AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT FIRM HIRED BY MENDOCINO COUNTY TO EVALUATE THE OPERATIONS AT THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT WILL PRESENT THEIR FINDINGS TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TODAY.

HARRIS AND HARRIS ENTERPRISES WAS HIRED IN JUNE TO EVALUATE OPERATIONS INCLUDING STAFFING RATIOS AND EFFICIENCY, AND WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING CURRENT WORKLOAD AND AVAILABLE STAFF, PATROL SERVICES AND COVERAGE, ANIMAL CONTROL, DISPATCH COVERAGE AND BUDGET COMMUNICATIONS. THE CONSULTANTS WILL BE PRESENTING THEIR FINDINGS DURING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING AT AROUND 10:30 AM.

COSTCO EIR JKB 10/18/11

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL WILL REVIEW A CONTRACT TO PREPARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR COSTCO, WITH THE SAME FIRM THAT IS WORKING ON THE EIR FOR THE PROPOSED EXPANSION OF WALMART AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW.

THE TOTAL COST FOR THE EIR IS MORE THAN $327,000 AND WILL BE PAID IN FULL BY COSTCO WHOLESALE EIR. THE DECISION BACK IN FEBRUARY TO USE THE SAME FIRM FOR BOTH THE WALMART AND COSTCO PROJECTS WAS MADE IN PART BECAUSE MUCH OF THE INFORMATION GOING INTO THE STUDIES AND REPORTS OVERLAP, AND WILL SAVE BOTH TIME AND MONEY IF THEY ARE HANDLED BY THE SAME FIRM.. THE EIR FOR COSTCO IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN EIGHT MONTHS INSTEAD OF A YEAR. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATES IS THE FIRM DOING THE WORK.

CAMP RELEASED 2011 SEIZURE FIGURES JKB 10/18/11

THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST MARIJUANA PLANTING OR CAMP ANNOUNCED THAT THEY SEIZED A TOTAL OF 2.2 MILLION PLANTS DURING THE THREE MONTH OPERATION THIS YEAR, ROUGHLY HALF AS MANY AS LAST YEAR.

ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS THE DROP IN TOTAL SEIZURES WAS DUE IN PART TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS SHIFTING PRODUCTION FROM PUBLIC TO PRIVATE LANDS. MENDOCINO COUNTY RANKED NO 1 AGAIN FOR CAMP POT SEIZURES THIS YEAR WITH 341,306 PLANTS ERADICATED, DOWN FROM ALMOST 573,000 PLANTS LAST YEAR. SEIZURES IN LAKE COUNTY FELL FROM JUST SHORT OF 375,000 LAST YEAR TO 123,645 THIS YEAR. ANOTHER FACTOR LEADING TO THE REDUCED TOTALS ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, WAS THE MONTH LONG HUNT FOR DOUBLE MURDER SUSPECT AARON BASSLER. SEVERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HAD TO RE-ALLOCATE RESOURCES IN ORDER TO TAKE PART IN THE SEARCH.

AFTER MONTHS OF INVESTIGATION, THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT HAS ARRESTED A TOTAL OF 11 PEOPLE IN CONNECTION WITH A LARGE DRUG TRAFFICKING OPERATION.

13 SEARCH WARRANTS WERE EXECUTED OVER THE LAST FIVE MONTHS AT HOMES IN CLEARLAKE, KELSEYVILLE, CLEARLAKE OAKS, MIDDLETOWN, AND THE CITY OF BRENTWOOD. POLICE SEIZED APPROXIMATELY ONE POUND OF METHAMPHETAMINE, 205 POUNDS OF PROCESSED MARIJUANA, 1,328 GROWING MARIJUANA PLANTS FOUR FIREARMS AND MORE THAN $26,000 IN CASH. AUTHORITIES SAY ALL OF THE SUSPECTS ARRESTED WERE PART OF THE RODRIQUEZ DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION.

CYCLIST COLLAPSES AND DIES ON BIRTHDAY JKB 10/17/11

A WELL-KNOWN SONOMA COUNTY CYCLIST DIED ON HIS 23RD BIRTHDAY ON FRIDAY AFTER COLLAPSING DURING A RIDE UP A STEEP GRADE OUTSIDE OF SANTA ROSA.

MATT WILSON OF CAMP MEEKER WAS CLIMBING LOS ALAMOS ROAD WITH ANOTHER RIDER WHEN HE COMPLAINED HE WASNT FEELING WELL, GOT OFF HIS BIKE AT THE SUMMIT AND COLLAPSED AT AROUND 12:30 PM. HIS RIDING PARTNER, 27 YEAR OLD HENRY STROUD OF SEBASTOPOL CALLED 911 ON HIS CELL PHONE AND BEGAN CPR. FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED MOMENTS LATER AND WILSON WAS AIRLIFTED TO SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD. THE CAUSE OF HIS DEATH IS PENDING AN AUTOPSY.

HELLS ANGEL MEMBER SHOT DEAD AT FUNERAL JKB 10/17/11

A HELLS ANGELS MEMBER WAS SHOT AND KILLED SATURDAY DURING THE FUNERAL OF ANOTHER MEMBER WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN A NEVADA CASINO SHOOTING LAST MONTH.

THE MAN, WHOSE NAME WAS NOT RELEASED, WAS GUNNED DOWN AT THE OAK HILL CEMETERY IN SAN JOSE AT AROUND 1 PM WHILE ATTENDING THE FUNERAL FOR PRESIDENT OF THE HELLS ANGELS SAN JOSE CHAPTER, JEFFREY JETHRO PETTIGREW, WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY A RIVAL VAGOS GANG MEMBER IN SPARKS NEVADA SEPTEMBER 23RD. NO ONE ELSE WAS INJURED IN THE SHOOTING. POLICE SAY NO SUSPECTS WERE IDENTIFIED AND NO ARRESTS WERE MADE.

TEEN INJURED WHEN SHE JUMPS FROM TRUCK JKB 10/17/11

A HUMBOLDT COUNTY TEENAGER WAS INJURED WHEN SHE JUMPED OUT OF HER BOYFRIENDS PICK UP TRUCK WHILE THEY WERE ENTERING HIGHWAY 101 FROM NEWTON ROAD IN WEOTT ON SATURDAY.

ACCORDING TO THE CHP, THE TRUCK WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES AN HOUR WHEN 18 YEAR OLD KARISSA COFFRON OF SCOTIA JUMPED FROM THE CAB OF THE TRUCK DURING AN ARGUMENT WITH 25 YEAR OLD SEAN OBRIEN OF WHITETHORN. OBRIEN DROVE COFFRON TO HIGHWAY 254 JUST SOUTH OF JORDON ROAD BEFORE CALLING 911. COFFRON WAS THEN TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO ST JOSEPH HOSPITAL IN EUREKA FOR TREATMENT OF A BROKEN ARM AND FINGER. THE INCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

FAMILY OF SUICIDAL MAN SUES CITY OF ALAMEDA JKB 10/17/11

THE FAMILY OF A SUICIDAL MAN WHO WADED INTO THE OCEAN AND DROWNED WHILE RESCUERS WATCHED FROM SHORE, FILED A CLAIM AGAINST THE CITY AND COUNTY OF ALAMEDA LAST WEEK.

THE FAMILY OF 58 YEAR OLD RAYMOND ZACK SAYS FIRST RESPONDERS STOOD BY AND DID NOTHING WHILE ZACK STOOD NECK DEEP IN THE COLD WATER OF AN ALAMEDA BEACH ON MEMORIAL DAY UNTIL HE SUCCUMBED. HIS BODY HAD TO BE RETRIEVED BY A BYSTANDER. FIRE OFFICIALS SAY THEY DIDNT RESCUE ZACK BECAUSE THEY LACKED WATER RESCUE TRAINING. THE TRAINING PROGRAM HAS SINCE BEEN REINSTATED. THE SUIT, FILED ON THURSDAY IS SEEKING AN UNSPECIFIED AMOUNT OF DAMAGES.

CITY LOOKS AT CITY SERIVICES JKBN 10/17/11

THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL AND CITY DEPARTMENT HEADS WILL MEET TODAY IN THE FIRST OF SEVERAL STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS WORKSHOPS DESIGNED TO IDENTIFY THE MOST CRUCIAL SERVICES THE CITY PROVIDES IN PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE.

IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH AN ANTICIPATED $1.5 TO $2 MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT, STEVE ZUIEBACK OF SYNECTICS HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AS A CONSULTANT TO HELP PRIORITIZE CRUCIAL CITY SERVICES. HE HAS SUGGESTED ASSIGNING EACH CATEGORY A NUMERICAL VALUE BASED ON SUCH FACTORS AS HOW MANY PEOPLE BENEFIT FROM THOSE SERVICES, HOW WELL IT ATTRACTS AND RETAINS NEW PEOPLE, HOW WELL IT ACHIEVES REVENUE ENHANCEMENT, AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO ACHIEVING ANNEXATION. THE COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ASSIGNING VALUES TO SERVICES AT TODAYS WORKSHOP. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 5:30 PM IN THE MEETING ROOM AT THE UKIAH MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.

WATER RELEASES FROM LAKE MENDOCINO TO INCREASE JKB 10/17/11

BEGINNING TODAY MORE WATER WILL BE RELEASED FROM COYOTE DAM AT LAKE MENDOCINO IN PREPARATION FOR THE UPCOMING RAINING SEASON.

THE AMOUNT OF WATER BEING RELEASED WILL ALMOST DOUBLE OVER THE NEXT MONTH IN THE PLANNED RELEASE DESIGNED TO LOWER THE LAKE TO LEVEL EFFECTIVE FOR FLOOD CONTROL, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PROTECTING FISHERIES DOWN STREAM.

FIRE SEASON ENDS JKB 10/17/11

THE 2011 FIRE SEASON IN MENDOCINO COUNTY WILL OFFICIALLY COME TO AN END AT 8 AM THIS MORNING.

RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT BURNING MUST STILL COMPLY WITH COUNTY AIR QUALITY REGULATIONS. THE PRESCRIBED BURNING SEASON IN THE MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST FOR REDUCING FUEL LOADS ALSO BEGINS TODAY.